Question

    One of the most inspiring quotes I ever heard was by Brian Tracy. He said: “The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people fail many more times than unsuccessful people.” I personally experienced its wisdom right after my first book was published. Like many authors, I expected hundreds of bookstore customers lining up for me to sign copies for them. I’m afraid to say, it didn’t quite happen like that.

My first signing was arranged at the largest book store in the city. Filled with anticipation, I was put into a private signing room in the beautiful store. However, not a single customer entered the room. As each minute passed, I became increasingly anxious.

After 90 minutes of long waiting I was absolutely distraught.

For the four years writing the book. I had felt a sense of mission and purpose like never before in my life. Working a full 8-hour day in my clinic. I had to get into bed by 9:30 pm every day, so I could wake up at 5:30 in the morning and have two hours of writing before heading into my clinic. Before I ever began each writing session, I would close my eyes for 10 minutes and then whisper, “Please grant me the words to touch just one person’s life.”

Now sitting there alone at my first book signing, I wondered if my entire life wasn’t just a big joke. At that moment, just when I couldn't feel any worse, a middle-aged couple walked into the room. I managed to hide my emotions and introduced myself and my book. The couple turned to each other, and the husband nodded to his wife. She then told me, “I think we’ll get the book.”

“We’re buying it,” she said hesitantly, "because we lost our son two years ago. Maybe your story will help us get over it.”

At that moment, I knew if I never sold another copy of the book, my four years of writing it had served its purpose. Although I would have many more challenging years until my book caught on and sold well, this couple’s story was all the motivation I needed at that point to keep me moving ahead.

1.The writer quotes Brian Tracy to stress the importance of __________

A.wisdom B.success

C.confidence D.persistence

2.The underlined word "distraught" in Paragraph 3 probably means __________

A.upset and disappointed B.cheerful and proud

C.bored and impatient D.hopeful and eager

3.What can be inferred from paragraph 4?

A.The writer had to quit his job to make time for his writing.

B.The writer was not sure about the purpose of his writing at first.

C.The writing was completed with great self-discipline and efforts.

D.The process of writing the book was full of pains and frustration.

4.Why does the author say “my four years of writing it had served its purpose” in the last paragraph?

A.Because he had succeeded in selling the first book to the couple.

B.Because he had managed to touch someone’s life with his book.

C.Because he was quite satisfied with the feedback of his readers.

D.Because he had found someone who appreciated his writing.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。作者在文章中回忆了自己在成功之前，所经历的困难，一对中年夫妻给作者提供了继续前进的动力，也从中诠释了那句名言“成功者和失败者的区别是，成功者比失败者要经历更多的失败”的意义。

1.

推理判断题。根据文章第一段“He said: “The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people fail many more times than unsuccessful people.” I personally experienced its wisdom right after my first book was published.(他说：“成功者和失败者的区别是，成功者比失败者要经历更多的失败。”就在我的第一本书出版之后，我亲身体验到了这种智慧。)”以及下文讲述中年夫妻给作者提供了继续写作的动力可推断，作者引用布莱恩·特雷西的名言是为了强调坚持的重要性。故选D。

2.

词义猜测题。根据文章第二段“As each minute passed, I became increasingly anxious.(随着时间的流逝，我变得越来越焦虑。)”和前句“After 90 minutes of long waiting”可知，作者又经过90分钟的长时间等待，仍然没有顾客来。可以猜测作者完全心烦意乱。所以distraught为“心烦意乱”之意。故选A。

3.

推理判断题。根据文章第四段“I had felt a sense of mission and purpose like never before in my life. Working a full 8-hour day in my clinic. I had to get into bed by 9:30 pm every day, so I could wake up at 5:30 in the morning and have two hours of writing before heading into my clinic. (我有一种前所未有的使命感和目标感。在我的诊所工作8个小时，我每天必须在晚上9:30上床睡觉，这样我就可以在早上5:30起床，在去诊所之前有两个小时的写作时间。)”可推断，写作是在极大的自律和努力下完成的。故选C。

4.

推理判断题。根据文章第四段““We’re buying it,” she said hesitantly, "because we lost our son two years ago. Maybe your story will help us get over it.” (“我们买下它，”她犹豫地说，“因为两年前我们失去了儿子。也许你的故事能帮助我们克服这一困难。”)可推断，作者说他四年的写作也达到了它的目的，是因为他的书触及了某人的生活。故选B。